Latest news with #BSCDCL
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
9k ‘non-functional' streetlights leave city's road woes, potholes in darkness & doubts
Bhopal: The city's dismal, potholed roads are now shadowed by widespread street light outages, further intensifying safety concerns. A theft reported on Dec 28, 2024, from Ashok Vihar's 80 Feet Road left lights non-functional for over seven months now, highlighting persistent gaps in maintenance. Bhopal's Smart Lighting initiative, part of the Smart City project, monitors around 20,000 street lights via an integrated command center. As of last Thursday 8:30 PM, only 74.34% of lights were operational, with 47.26% energy savings—translating to roughly 9,749 lights turned off in the city. While the system promotes sustainability, its profit model ties operator earnings to energy conservation, making shutdowns financially advantageous. Attempts to reach Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation Limited (BSCDCL) CEO were unsuccessful. A street lighting consultant acknowledged around 4,000 lights were non-functional, though monitoring data showed 9,749. For instance, Link Road 1—from Board Office to Nanke Petrol Pump—has 280 lights. The system flagged 150 as off, but only 47 were actually shut down. Performance varies across zones. While 45 Bunglow, Aishbagh, and Chhola Mandir report 100% functionality, areas like Vidhya Nagar (36.26%), Link Roads 1–3 (38.02%), and Smart Road (51.68%) show significant outages. Ashok Vihar matches the city average at 74.64%, though its theft incident may have disrupted service. Even in other localities like Tulsi Nagar, Kolar Road and others, residents have reported street lights not working properly, which not only makes navigation difficult but also makes them feel unsafe on city roads. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Smart City plans lie buried under waste & encroachments at city's Dussehra Maidan
Bhopal: The TT Nagar area around Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal, originally planned as a showcase of urban modernisation under the Smart City initiative, now represents unfulfilled development aspirations. The demolition of govt housing nearly ten years ago raised expectations for advanced infrastructure, including well-maintained streets, community areas and sustainable urban design. However, the site has deteriorated into an unauthorised settlement zone filled with refuse, further undermining citizens' confidence in the project. Recent demolition activities targeting old govt structures near the adjacent slum have commenced. Nevertheless, unauthorised settlements have proliferated along the two-kilometre stretch of main road across vacant plots. One section has transformed into an impromptu bus depot accommodating numerous vehicles. Debris and rubbish heaps along the thoroughfare have made the demolished area impassable. Efforts to remove encroachments appear ineffective, with major violations remaining unaddressed. "What was supposed to be a green, open civic zone has now morphed into an eyesore, scattered with makeshift shelters and heaps of trash," said a medical professional, refusing to be named. The private land along Jawahar Chowk houses several healthcare facilities. Despite administrative orders against such practices over recent years, waste from plastic, construction and household sources continues accumulating from nearby slums. Around three years ago, ahead of Swach survey inspections, the administration had ordered clearing of the debris from left over construction. With monsoon approaching, the numerous uncovered excavations created for smart city development pose significant health risks, particularly from vector-borne diseases. The smart city concept appears unrealised amidst overflowing waste bins and unplanned demolitions. Rather than showcasing Bhopal's urban development, the Dussehra Maidan area highlights the disconnect between planning and implementation. When contacted official from BSCDCL could not be reached.
